A museum dedicated to Peanuts comic strips and Charles M Schulz. In addition to the exhibits, across the street you can step into the world of Mr. Schulz with Snoopy’s Ice Rink, designed and built by Schulz, and Warm Puppy Cafe, Schulz go-to stop for breakfast and lunch.

Jason says: Been there plenty of times with my family, which is always fun. Definitely worth checking out if you are a Peanuts fan.

Nora says: It’s definitely a drive but getting to see original drafts of Peanuts panels I’d out of this world! I especially love the recreation of Schulz’s office.

Serving San Francisco since 1992, Dog Eared books buys and sells new and used books of all kinds but specializing in small-press, local literature, and, at the Castro location, LGBTQ+ titles. In addition to their Castro location, they are located on Valencia St and have a sister location, Alley Cat Books, on 24th street.

Nora says: I always love a good local bookstore and the Dog Eared Books stores in San Francisco are definitely worth it. I love the selection of LGBTQ+ books at the Castro location and we also went to Alley Cat books for a book signing.

Jason says: While I have never been to this location, I have gone to Alley Cat Books, its sister location. Had a lot of fun standing in line with Nora for a book signing. Very interesting displays of books.

One of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the Legion of Honor houses a grand selection of ancient and European art. It was built to commemorate California soldiers that died in WWI and is located on top of a hill, giving a gorgeous view of the whole city.

Nora says: I’ve come here multiple times since childhood and always have a great time. My favorite painting is “Thalia, Muse of Comedy” by Jean-Marc Nattier.

Home of the San Francisco Giants and the “greenest” ballpark in the country! Enjoy a game with a large variety of foods and beverages, visit the edible garden past center field, and watch the kayakers in McCovey Cove wait for a “Splash Hit”!

Jason says: I have had lots of fun seeing the Giants play, but probably my most memorable moment here was seeing Nora graduate from SFSU, which had their graduation ceremony at Oracle Park.

Nora says: I prefer sitting center field and can’t skip having garlic fries and hard cider on tap.

A beautiful campus that’s part of the California State University system and home to the Gators.

Nora says: I had a great time going to school here. The food on campus is tasty and the library is wonderful. But above all else, my favorite times in campus were when Jason visited and we would take walks together.

Jason says: Very lovely campus. Good place to take walks.

This historic site was the first American cemetery in the San Mateo County. It was founded in 1859 and continued to take new inhabitants through the early 20th century. Its name comes from the plot that houses California volunteers that fought for the Union in the Civil War, which features a life-size statue of a Civil War veteran. There is an information board by the entrance that has a map for a virtual tour. With the beautiful greenery, unique gravestones, and peaceful atmosphere, it is a great place to take a walk and explore.

Jason says: Loved walking through the cemetery. Lots of historical goodies especially the grave site of the Civil War Union soldiers. Definitely one of the saving graces and comforts to go to while spending time in a shoebox apartment in a pandemic.

Nora says: I always love walking through and exploring the cemetery. We always see something new and the board at front is updated regularly with different information about the “residents”.

Red Morton Community Park is a great location for all ages and abilities. There are a variety of baseball and soccer fields, tennis, basketball, and bocce ball courts, horseshoe pits, a beautiful rose garden, plenty of trees and benches, and a new disability friendly playground!

Nora says: This is such a nice park and I’m so glad we lived close to it for our first two apartments.

Jason says: Lovely park, great place to take walks or even just Pokemon hunting.

Housed in the restore old courthouse in the heart of downtown Redwood City, the San Mateo County History Museum uses fun and interactive exhibits to tell the history of the county from its original indigenous people to today's inhabitants.

Jason says: Good place to check out for those who are local history lovers. Worked there for almost two years. Loved working on one of their changing exhibits on San Mateo during WWII.

Nora says: My favorite exhibit is “Land of Opportunity”, which highlights the county’s long history of a strong immigrant presence.

Sam's Chowder House has been serving the best seafood in the Bay Area since 2006. Their outdoor seating is pet friendly and their menu is eco-friendly and sustainable.

Jason says: One of the main restaurants that my family goes to when we are visiting in Half Moon Bay. Love getting their bowl of New England Clam chowder and their fish n chips. Has a nice overview of the ocean. Get there early to avoid lines.

Nora says: I really love the Manhattan clam chowder. I would highly recommend sitting on the patio!

Bell's Books is a family owned independent bookstore that has been in Palo Alto since 1935. They have new, used and antique books.

Nora says: This is great place for some quiet exploring. I once even found a copy of TIME magazine from 1999 describing how popular the Harry Potter books are and that plans to make films based on them were underway.

Jason says: A very nice small local bookstore. Quiet and peaceful place to enjoy books.

Nearing its 100th anniversary, Palo Alto Creamery first opened its doors in 1923. It serves great diner food, pies, and excellent shakes, and everything is made from scratch!

Jason says: Loved going here as a kid with my family. Great milkshakes and food. Got to celebrate one of Nora's birthdays here.

Nora says: No visit to the Stanford Theatre is complete for me without a milkshake at the Creamery! It’s delicious and really completes the vintage aesthetic.

Originally opening in 1925 and restored to its former glory in the late 1980s, the Stanford Theatre is the spot to watch classic movies. Reportedly, the theatre has accounted for as much as 25% of classic film attendance in America. Tickets and snacks are cheap, there is a small exhibit showing old movie posters and memorabilia, and an organ comes up to be played between showings and during silent films. This is a must see for any lover of old movies!

Nora says: There is not a better place to watch a classic movie. My favorite event is whenever they have a Hitchcock festival.

Jason says: Been here a few times. Love the vintage old movie theater aesthetic.

One of the most beautiful community colleges in California, Foothill College has wide range of programs and was one of the first community colleges in the state to offer a bachelor's degree. It has a stellar theatre program (Tony award winner James Monroe Iglehart had performed in some of their shows before reaching fame) and was the location of some of the earliest Fanime conventions in the 1990s.

Nora says: I loved going to school here and the campus is gorgeous. Their Disability Resource Center was incredibly helpful and the professors were incredibly knowledgable and engaging.

Jason says: Been here a few times. Have great theatre productions like the Producers or even Shrek the Musical.

An incredibly fun theme park with plenty of thrill rides, enjoyable kiddie rides, and an impressive water park.

Jason says: Been here plenty times as a kid. Favorite ride is the Grizzly, although on a hot day, I would like to go on Rip Roaring Rapids. Especially when you can put in the quarters for the machine to shoot other riders with water.

Nora says: The Grizzly was the first roller coaster I ever rode and I’ve been hooked on thrill rides ever since! My favorite ride is the Drop Tower.

The Children's Discovery Museum offers hand's on learning experiences for kids. It covers a wide berth of topics that range from arts to science and technology to health and wellness to history and cultural celebrations. It is one of the largest museums of its kind in the nation and is a must-see to engage your kids' curiosity.

Nora says: This was my favorite place my Dad would take me and my siblings when he came to visit when we were kids.

ComedySportz is a show that features two teams doing competitive improv through games, challenge, and audience participation. It's a very fun experience and great for some laughs.

Nora says: I have good memories of participating in their high school program at my school and have enjoyed seeing their shows.

Jason says: Been there once. Had a blast watching people doing some improv.

Home of the San Jose Giants! While they are a low-A team, their proximity to San Francisco often means that SF Giants players can be sent there to recover after injury before returning to SF, or players from the SJ Giants can be called up to the big leagues in emergency situations. Players have included Pablo Sandoval, Buster Posey, Adam Duvall, and many others. Come to the ballpark early to explore the park and sign up to play games on the field between innings. Kids can enjoy playing in the parks fun zone and the food is a real home run. There is spectacular bbq at Turkey Mikes and the churros are the perfect combination of crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside. Every game the opposing team has a "beer batter" that, if struck out, means that the park will be serving free beer until the end of the inning. In later innings, when the bars close, this turns into the Martinelli's apple juice batter and free apple juice is given away. If you want a real fun, down to earth baseball experience, this is your place to stop.

Nora says: While I love the San Francisco Giants, my heart belongs to the San Jose Giants and their mascot, Gigante. I can never resist a day game here, complete with a pulled pork “sandwich” (without bread) and a side of baked beans.

Jason says: Been here once, and would love to go back in the future. Went there for a Harry Potter themed night.

Happy Hollow is an amusement park and accredited zoo that is fun for the whole family. It has a great mix of active fun and education and is also home to one of California's oldest puppet theaters. There are also plenty of playgrounds to explore and work off energy. The prices are very fair and no two trips are the same.

Nora says: My family has enjoyed going here for generations! I especially like the petting zoo and the crooked house.

The History Park is a very unique experience that demonstrates the history of San Jose and the Bay Area through relocated and replicated residences and businesses. Its constructed in a way that a small town in the early 1900s may have looked. Most buildings have an educational theme, such as a one-room schoolhouse from 1871, where you can learn history about elementary schools, and various houses that each represent a cultural heritage present in the Bay Area and their history there. In addition to this learning, it is also a great place to bring a picnic. Be sure to visit O'Brien's Ice Cream Parlor and Candy Shop for a sweet treat!

Nora says: I love the unique way they present local history here and getting to explore the buildings.

Jason says: Very nice place to go for a walk.

San Jose Center for the Performing Arts is a beautiful theater that many performances pass through, most notably touring Broadway productions. At the time of our wedding, Dear Evan Hansen will be touring through.

Nora says: I’ve seen so many great shows here, but my favorite experience was seeing Priscilla, Queen of the Desert with my friend, Charlotte, on Halloween and getting chosen to dance on stage at the beginning of the second act.

Jason says: Been here once. Got to see Wicked for the first time with Nora.

The Tech, as it is fondly nicknamed, is an interactive and family-friendly science and tech museum in the heart of the silicon valley. It's fine resources for STEAM education lead it to being awarded the National Medal for Museum and Library Service in 2015, the highest honor a United States museum, science center or cultural institution can achieve.

Jason says: One of my fondest memories of the Tech Museum was seeing Fantasia 2000 on the IMAX with my family.

Nora says: I could stare at the rube goldberg machine outside for hours.

The West Wind Capitol Drive-In is one of the only dedicated Drive-Ins in the Bay Area. There are a nice variety of old and new movies and the concessions area has a really fun atmosphere. It is a great place to go with family and friends to enjoy movies in a unique and surprisingly intimate way. Sitting in your car or in folding chairs in your spot gives you the theater experience mixed with the social aspect of watching and joking at home with your friends (without disturbing or being disturbed by other audience members).

Nora says: We went to see a showing of Empire Strikes Back here for my 25th birthday. It was a great way for my family to celebrate with me but still socially distance in our cars to comply with Covid guidelines.

Jason says: Been here a few times, with the first time going was for Nora's 25th birthday. Reasonable well priced for popcorn and tickets.

Lisa's Tea Treasures is exactly what you would imagine if you were to close your eyes and think of a quaint tea shop. The servers are dressed in uniforms of bygone times, the china is beautiful, and the afternoon tea service is complete. You feel truly elegant sipping your choice of tea and nibbling on goodies.

Nora says: This is fun place for special occasions. I really enjoy their variety of tea and gluten free goodies! I especially like their egg salad! I would recommend getting more than one pot of tea for the table so you can sample each other's choices.

Jason says: Loved the food and the tea varieties. Great

service.

Stepping into LVL Up is like stepping into a video game. The painting job is reminiscent of Mario Bros platformers and the menu reflects this theme. Most excitedly, the bar is filled with arcade games and board games, making this the perfect place for a geeky night out.

Jason says: Fun place to hang out at. Plenty of video games and board games there.

Nora says: This place has a really fun aesthetic and is perfectly geeky.

Patti’s is a dedicated gluten-free bakery with everything you could want! There’s a wide array of cupcakes, mini cheesecakes, and cookies, including dairy-free options! There is frozen pizza doughs, ice cream sandwiches, pie doughs, and breads. They have cinnamon rolls large enough to share and a variety of fresh breakfast and lunch sandwiches you can enjoy there with tea.

Nora says: I always make sure to stop here when I’m visiting my family. My favorites are any of their sandwiches on their rosemary bread, a snickerdoodle, and their blonde cupcake!

A Morgan Hill staple, Siam Thai is great family-style Thai restaurant with high quality and delicious traditional foods.

Nora says: Siam Thai is my family’s favorite Thai place. I always love their yellow curry, pad thai, and spring rolls!

Gilroy is the garlic capital of the world and this shop is the best place to take advantage of that. Full of garlic goodies, merch, and the largest garlic braids and bulbs that you'll ever see, the Garlic Shoppe is the best place is you love Garlic.

Nora: When I think of souvenirs to represent the area where I grew up, I think of a bottle one of Morgan Hill’s local wines and a massive garlic braid from here.

Gilroy Gardens is an incredibly unique amusement park that not only includes the standard fun rides and water splash zones we've come to expect from a theme park, but beautiful and peaceful gardens, unique trees, and education about horticulture. A real draw is to come see the incredible Circus Trees, which were carefully manipulated as they grew to make wondrous shapes. It really is a fun and one-of-a-kind experience you won't regret.

Nora says: Even though it’s name changed over a decade ago, I can’t stop calling it Bonafonte Gardens. I always enjoy a good theme park ride, but the circus trees and gardens really make the trip for me.

The Outlets are very popular with visitors due to its large selections of due to its large selection of over 145 stores. If you love shopping, this is the place to go.

Nora says: My grandmama would always take us here for back to school shopping.

(Yes, this is the 4th bookshop on the list. We're not sorry. Books are great.) A lovely independent bookshop serving Santa Cruz since 1966. Selling new and used books, they have an extensive collection that you could get lost in.

Jason says: I used to go to this place all the time looking at a variety of books and magazines. I love their selection of books especially their graphic novels.

Nora says: I've only been here once but I would love to go again! I was really impressed by their selection and the warm ambiance.

A beautiful beach known for its unique formations of rocks that look like bridges!

Nora says: I have loved this beach ever since I was brought in elementary school to look at the tide pools on the rocks. I have had a lot of fun boogie boarding and body surfing here with my family.

Jason says: I love going here quite a bit just to feel the nice breeze and walk around with friends and family.

Our #1 recommended stop for guests of our wedding! The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is not only fun, its historic! Operating since 1907, both its wooden roller coaster, The Big Dipper, and its carousel are National Historic Landmarks. Roaring Camp even has a train that travels to the Boardwalk and back! The beach is along part of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and you might even get to spot some local marine animals just off shore! Its food selections are reminiscent of going to a county fair and entrance is completely free. It is the must-visit location in Santa Cruz.

Nora says: The boardwalk always makes me think of the friends and family I’ve been there with before. My favorite thing to do is ride the carousel and try to throw metal rings into the clown’s mouth.

Jason says: Fun place to go to. Love their garlic fries! Yum! Favorite ride would be the Giant Dipper.

Home of the Banana Slugs and a beautiful tree covered campus.

Jason says: Loved going there for college. Made great friends there along the way. Great place to take walks, and runs. Loved using the bus system on and off campus.

Nora says: I didn’t go to college here, but when my older cousin, Kate, did, I got to visit her. She took me around some of the campus and I had a great time!

A local favorite restaurant in Santa Cruz established in 1994 with a great selection of food for breakfast, lunch and brunch.

Jason says: Nice, quaint, little restaurant. I really like their selections for breakfast. My favorite meal to get there is the Eggs Benedict.